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Recommend machines please....

12-09-2013, 06:08 AM

New here, did some stick welding (not as a profession) 30+ years ago. Retiring soon and looking to buy a machine to do some work on steel as well as aluminum, on cars, trucks, quads, trailers etc. 1/8"-3/16" tubing as well. Don't see working on anything thicker than 3/8" in either metal but you don't know. Not a fan of buying just big enough to get buy in anything I believe in buying just a tad bigger than needed so I will not run short and will not have to run what I do get at full throttle all the time to keep up. For those times when you need just a bit more.

Millermatic 211 auto set??? , Diversion 180??? , Multimatic w/tig kit??? These are just some I have looked at the most online. I hope some of you can recommend something to me, please do and thanks in advance for your help.......
Buying timeline probably in the next 5 months...

Comment

New here, did some stick welding (not as a profession) 30+ years ago. Retiring soon and looking to buy a machine to do some work on steel as well as aluminum, on cars, trucks, quads, trailers etc. 1/8"-3/16" tubing as well. Don't see working on anything thicker than 3/8" in either metal but you don't know. Not a fan of buying just big enough to get buy in anything I believe in buying just a tad bigger than needed so I will not run short and will not have to run what I do get at full throttle all the time to keep up. For those times when you need just a bit more.

Millermatic 211 auto set??? , Diversion 180??? , Multimatic w/tig kit??? These are just some I have looked at the most online. I hope some of you can recommend something to me, please do and thanks in advance for your help.......
Buying timeline probably in the next 5 months...

Welcome Aboard...

there have been a tremendous amount of threads on just that question..
you might find it useful, even sometimes entertaining to read and observe some of those threads and the opinions and reasoning... discussions can sometimes get quite heated..
............. an ample illustration of everybody's differing needs and viewpoints

MIG is probably the easiest to get started with... if you intend Aluminum you must factor in a spoolgun..

TIG is a bit more difficult to learn but the most versatile, controlable & precise..
if you intend to do Aluminum.. the machine you choose must be AC capable.. as well as DC....
HF start and pedal or finger amp control... are very useful as well...

an examination of what you really want accomplish with a welder will help to shape your choice

AND..as said your budget will narrow down your machine choices as well...

Another factor that you need to keep in mind is the quantity of power available in your garage/shop... 120/240..?? amps??

Comment

I knew I could count on help here. And thank you very much. My budget will be $3000 or less. I'm not opening up a fabrication shop instead more what I would call a tinkers den for my pleasure. Of course if the opportunity come up where I could make a few bucks either as a hobby or a actual dedicated small time production of things I would welcome that with great joy.

Retirement to me does not mean death it means the chance to pursue other interests, I'll ride my Harley Ultra Classic till I can't keep it up anymore then I'll simply get a smaller bike that I can handle and ride till I go out for good.

Thanks , I will go and read some of those posts you mentioned and try to cram some intelligence into the cavern between my ears. From what I saw so far there is a machine out there for me, neat , portable, light weight, and more than capable to do what I need. I will keep you informed , MERRY CHRISTMAS to all....... And to all a good night... Please keep the women and men in our armed forces in your thoughts, their sacrifice means our freedom

Comment

I knew I could count on help here. And thank you very much. My budget will be $3000 or less. I'm not opening up a fabrication shop instead more what I would call a tinkers den for my pleasure. Of course if the opportunity come up where I could make a few bucks either as a hobby or a actual dedicated small time production of things I would welcome that with great joy.

Retirement to me does not mean death it means the chance to pursue other interests, I'll ride my Harley Ultra Classic till I can't keep it up anymore then I'll simply get a smaller bike that I can handle and ride till I go out for good.

Thanks , I will go and read some of those posts you mentioned and try to cram some intelligence into the cavern between my ears. From what I saw so far there is a machine out there for me, neat , portable, light weight, and more than capable to do what I need. I will keep you informed , MERRY CHRISTMAS to all....... And to all a good night... Please keep the women and men in our armed forces in your thoughts, their sacrifice means our freedom

Comment

Used equipment I'm on the fence, The few things outside of cars and trucks that I bought used usually didn't workout for me, I'm not saying I wouldn't buy a used machine but the secure blanket of a few years warranty does help me sleep better at night.

My power was something that I was thinking about and I was going to bring that up. I have a 50 amp circuit breaker and wired circuit available I my garage service box that was used for the electric stove, if I pulled that line back to the box I would have at least a 40-50 ' line to work with if that would be enough to power a welder.

Ok have to go for a bit thanks guys it's an experience but I will get to the bottom of this and do some more research and pick your on your talent some more.

I do have a authorized service center (Miller) less than 10 miles from me where I can I assume go and pick up a few ideas to.

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Thanks H80N, do you have a shop there? If so maybe I can stop by sometime. My eyeballs are falling out of the sockets I'm in need of a trip to the eye doc and get my peepers checked out, spending to much time online on my I Pad. Night , talk again thanks